Edmonton Prospects Win Streak Hits Four

Whenever a team experiences the highest of highs, one always worries that they will come out flat for the next game. After defeating the Melville Millionaires 21-3 on Saturday June 30th, and after all the pomp and circumstance that was another amazing Canada Day experience at RE/MAX Field, the Edmonton Prospects players had to make sure they did not fall into the “big game hangover”. With the Millionaires back in Edmonton on a soggy Tuesday night, the Prospects stayed focused, and hot, extending their win streak to four games.

The Prospects offence, which left the bases loaded in the first inning, opened up the scoring in the second inning. With 2-out, Aidan Huggins and Tony Olson hit back-to-back singles. Daylen Calicdan collected RBI number 16 of the season bringing home Huggins. Spillman collected RBI 22 of the season bringing home Olson. Spillman and Calicdan sit 1-2 on the team in RBI and batting average, .393 and .369 respectively.

The 2-0 lead was extended to 3-0 in the bottom of the 6th. Once again with Olson on base, Spillman ripped a single to left field to cash him in. Olson sits 3rd on the team in runs scored (21), batting average (.333) and RBI (16).

Michael Gahan, the Prospects workhorse pitcher so far this season, earned his first win. The 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday brought his season total to 39 innings played which sits as the 2nd most in the WMBL. Gahan cruised along until the 6th inning when the Millionaires were able to score their only two runs of the night. The 7 strikeouts Gahan collected puts in a tie for 3rd most in the league.

Scott Gillespie came into the game and got Kole Kaler to fly out to center to end the 7th inning preserving the Prospects 3-2 lead. Gillespie gave up a lead-off single to start the 8th inning but induced a double-play with the next batter to snuff out any trouble before it started.

The Prospects added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th when Matt Coutney busted out of an 0-11 funk at the plate and singled home Calicdan.

Marion McLean played the role of closer for the Edmonton Prospects trying to protect the 4-2 lead. A lead-off double by Noah Freimuth would be the only hiccup along the way to McLean’s second save of the season. With the win the Prospects improve to 12-14 on the season as they embark on a 5-game road trip.

Nick Spillman sometimes gets overlooked for this nomination as he has had such a steady season. Going 2-for-4, Spillman is now on a 8-game hitting streak.His RBI in the 6th became the eventual game-winning knock. Congratulations Mr. Spillman on the “Player of the Game” nod.